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In an email chain, Florida residents and at least one gun dealer expressed their concerns about quick changes in gun laws that would restrict the ability to gain weapons. Gun dealers say in the week since the tragedy in Connecticut, gun sales have increased. Jeff Dillard of National Armory spoke about that issue with NBC 6. (Published Thursday, Dec 20, 2012)

Across Florida, a race is on to beat what gun advocates believe could be new legislation from Washington.

NBC 6 South Florida exclusively obtained an email chain Thursday from Florida residents and at least one gun dealer, sent across the state, in which they express their concerns about quick changes in gun laws that would restrict the ability to gain weapons.

"Best-in-the-Country" School Safety Plan Sought: Carvalho

After a moment of silence for the victims of the Connecticut school shooting Tuesday morning, Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools Alberto Carvalho called for people to come together "and seek meaningful, reasonable, and sustainable solutions to the devastation of humanity we so mourn today." Carvalho said that during an elevator ride with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, he proposed bringing together mayors, police chiefs and municipalities to develop a "best-in-the-country plan" to address schools' security needs. "The mayor's response is 'Let's do it, and let's do it now.' Mr. Mayor, I thank you for your commitment," Carvalho said. (Published Tuesday, Dec 18, 2012)

One seller from central Florida writes, “To all, if anyone is interested in a Bushmaster AR-15 let me know. …. Keep in mind that legislation may be in place as early as January 1st, 2013.”

Principals, Teachers with Guns Not the Answer: School Leaders

South Florida school superintendents and parents said Tuesday they don't think principals and teachers should be allowed to bring guns to school, as a state legislator has suggested. Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools Alberto Carvalho, Broward County Superintendent of Schools Robert Runcie, Paul Stiener, Dr. Nilma Feliciano, Paula Jeredano and Mario Colzadilla spoke about the issue. (Published Tuesday, Dec 18, 2012)

“They soar off the charts,” said Jeff Dillard of National Armory in Pompano Beach. “People get afraid. People feel that the guns are going to be outlawed.”

One person in the email chain, writing Tuesday, claimed there were no eyewitnesses to the Connecticut shooting – only hearsay, and people’s explanations of what happened afterward.

The writer also said that a relative of the gunman worked for a “government think tank that comes up with scenarios like this one. What better way to get people to change their minds about gun control than to shoot some kids.”

Dillard said Florida must tighten rules when it comes to those with mental illnesses trying to buy weapons.

“If we could get government, hence the bureaucrats, to include this mental information to FDLE, no one needs to see it other than the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,” he said. “No gun dealers or anyone checking a background will know why this person’s being disapproved.”

One email author agreed with someone else in the chain that the “crazies” are committing crimes such as the Connecticut shooting. The emailer went on to ask, “has anyone with a concealed weapons license ever committed the heinous crimes that are happening?”

Over one million Florida residents now have concealed weapons permits, another writer boasted.

“I would bet that makes a few people who may wish to curtail our rights a bit concerned and maybe remind them that we the people here in Florida are not a push over,” the writer said.